Board News and Announcements

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2018 - TODAY'S MEETING OF THE NORTH CAROLIA BOARD OF PHARMACY WILL NOT BE LIVE-STREAMED BECAUSE OF TECHNICAL ISSUES.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2018

BOARD OF PHARMACY GUIDANCE TO CONSUMERS ON SAFE DISPOSAL OF UNWANTED OR UNNEEDED MEDICATIONS. Board staff often receive questions concerning safe medication disposal. This guide provides guidance on safe disposal methods, as well as links to helpful resources. Staff thanks Vera Reinstein of Alliance Behavioral Healthcare and Nidhi Gandhi of the Wingate University School of Pharmacy for leading the effort to create this guidance leaflet.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018

UPDATE TO NORTH CAROLINA PHARMACISTS ON TAMIFLU (OSELTAMIVIR)AVAILABILITY. During this season’s flu outbreak, several pharmacists have contacted Board staff inquiring about potential shortages of Tamiflu (oseltamivir).

As of this writing, brand name Tamiflu is not on that list. While some pharmacies may have experienced short-term supply crunches from a particular wholesaler, those are due to local demand issues, and not due to an overall shortage of the drug.

According to the Walgreens Flu Index, North Carolina is now the ninth heaviest hit state for flu activity in the United States. Pharmacists are reminded to encourage their patients to obtain a flu shot, which provides important protections even this late in the flu season.

2018 RENEWAL PERIOD NOVEMBER 1, 2017 - MARCH 1, 2018

The 2018 renewal period began on November 1, 2017 and runs through the end of December. The Board allows a grace period from January 1 through March 1 where licensees/permittees/registrants may renew without penalty.

NORTH CAROLINA CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE REPORTING SYSTEM IS NOW CONNECTED TO PMP INTERCONNECT. The North Carolina CSRS is now connected to PMP Interconnect (http://www.ncnn.com/edit-news/10195-more-money-going-to-fight-opioids-), which is a program developed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy that allows data sharing among states’ prescription monitoring programs. This enhancement provides a significant new resource for pharmacists exercising their professional judgment when dispensing controlled substances. NC DHHS staff advise that pharmacists may access data from other states by selecting the “Multiple State Query” link on the left side of the CSRS query page. A menu of available states will appear in a “Disclosing States” field. Some states (including Virginia) are already accessible. Other states will be added in the near future. Pharmacists with questions about the data sharing features are encouraged to contact Alex Asbun of DHHS’ Drug Control Unit, who directly administers the CSRS: alex.asbun@dhhs.nc.gov; (919) 733-1765

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2018

PHARMACIST-MANAGERS REMINDED OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO PHARMACY TECHNICIAN HIRES AND REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS. In recent months, Board staff have seen an uptick in the number of pharmacy technician applications in which the applicant’s significant criminal history is not disclosed. Certainly, not every criminal conviction disqualifies a pharmacy technician applicant. But a failure to fully disclose a criminal history can – and often does – result in denial of the registration for the applicant’s having “made false representations or withheld material information in connection with registering as a pharmacy technician.” NCGS 90-85.15A(d)(1). Not infrequently, a withheld (or, for that matter, a disclosed) criminal history includes matters that are disqualifying of themselves or strongly suggest other grounds for disqualification. See NCGS 90-85.15A(d)(2)(“Been found guilty of or plead guilty or nolo contendere to a felony involving the use or distribution of drugs.”); 90-85.15A(d)(3)(“Indulged in the use of drugs to an extent that renders the pharmacy technician unfit to assist a pharmacist in preparing and dispensing prescription medications.”)

Pharmacist-managers “accept responsibility for the operation of a pharmacy in conformance with all statutes and rules pertinent to the practice of pharmacy and distribution of drugs . . . .” 21 NCAC 46.1317(27). Accordingly, pharmacist-managers must take reasonable steps to ensure that pharmacy technician applicants are qualified for registration. That includes taking reasonable steps to ensure that applicants make truthful and complete disclosures on their registration applications, and that applicants do not have disqualifying criminal histories. Such steps are, of course, also part of a prudent hiring process generally.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2018

INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FOR PHARMACIES CONCERNING IV FLUID SHORTAGES. As many pharmacists know, Hurricane Maria’s devastation of Puerto Rico has interrupted supplies of IV fluids. This document provides additional resources and information on the shortage, FDA’s responses, and suggested means of mitigating the shortage’s effects on patient care.

The North Carolina Board of Pharmacy's mission is to protect the public health, safety and welfare in pharmaceutical matters. The Board sets standards for academic and practical experience programs prior to licensure, issues permits to operate pharmacies and DME facilities, and annually renews licenses, permits and registrations.